Hog’s Breath repulses Cagayan Valley; Blackwater stays alive
MANILA, Philippines — Aggressive when it mattered, Hog’s Breath Cafe came back from 18 points down to nip Cagayan Valley, 82-79, and clinch a semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Razorbacks, trailing in double figures virtually the entire game, staged a furious windup where they outscored the Rising Suns, 21-9, in the last seven minutes.
“The turning point was when our guards started attacking the basket, it opened up our shooters,” said Razorbacks coach Caloy Garcia.
Blackwater Sports, though, forged a winner-take-all duel for the last Final Four slot after blasting Jumbo Plastic, 86-78, in their own quarterfinal match.
The Elite survived elimination for the third straight time as the recent champions surged ahead right in the opening quarter, 25-15, behind Kevin Ferrer.
“We wanted to control the tempo, we wanted to dictate what will happen in the game,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Ferrer unloaded 16 points on top of six rebounds, four assists and five steals, while Jericho Cruz finished with 15 markers.
The Elite, who clinched the last quarterfinal berth after avoiding an early exit twice, will try to spoil the Giants’ twice-to-beat edge at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Kevin Racal had 15 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Razorbacks, who will battle No. 1 NLEX in the semifinals starting Tuesday.
Jansen Rios added 12 points, including the go-ahead basket with 24.7 ticks left, 80-79.
The scores:
First Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 86—Ferrer 16, Cruz 15, Llagas 13, Ciriacruz 13, Mangahas 9, Bulawan 6, Austria 5, Pe 4, Manguera 3, Bagatsing 2.
JUMBO PLASTIC 78—Romero 16, Colina 12, Dehesa 12, Magat 11, Tan 10, Petilos 8, Arboleda 6, Ballesteros 2, Alano 1, Melegrito 0. Quarters: 25-15, 46-34, 73-61, 86-78
Second Game
HOG’S BREATH CAFE 82—Racal 15, Rios 12, Austria 10, Allera 10, Gabawan 9, Paniamogan 9, Ruaya 5, Sanga 5, Macasaet 3, Terso 3, Belorio 1, Publico 0.
CAGAYAN VALLEY 79—Celada 21, Ighalo 11, Trollano 9, Cruz 9, Juico 7, Pinto 6, Melano 6, Bringas 6, Galliguez 4, Mabulac 0, Collado 0, Foronda 0.
Quarters: 11-14, 27-40, 58-63, 82-79
